Titans guard Andy Levitre works after practice recently at Saint Thomas Sports Park. The Titans will soon a decision about the offensive lineman's future with the team. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

In sum, if the team invested enough in you, you essentially were untouchable.

But things have changed in the aftermath of the 2-14 disaster of 2014. Management is taking a harder look at everything. Some tough calls are being made.

It's about time. Titans higher-ups finally realized that the NFL version of insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different result. Unless you change course, you're doomed to mediocrity – or worse.

That's why the franchise is undergoing a makeover. Tommy Smith retired as team president/CEO. The Titans charted a new course at quarterback by drafting Marcus Mariota. Bishop Sankey and Justin Hunter, the Titans' second-round draft picks the past two years, are facing major competition for playing time.

And then there is Andy Levitre. With the blockbuster six-year, $46.8 million free-agent contract he signed in 2013, Levitre is among the highest-paid Titans. He is due a base salary of $6.5 million this season. Coupled with a prorated signing bonus of $2.1 million, he accounts for an $8.6 million hit against the salary cap this year.

With numbers like that, you figure Levitre is assured a starting position on the Titans' offensive line. And in years past, he would be. When a player is being paid like that, it is customary to reserve a spot in the huddle for him.

But three weeks into training camp, Levitre looks like the odd man out on the offensive line. Free-agent signee Byron Bell has practiced extensively with the first team at left guard, Levitre's old spot. Levitre has gotten work at backup center, although he lined up with the starters in some drills at practice Thursday.

As a seven-year pro, Levitre understands the business side of the game. The NFL giveth and the NFL taketh away. In 2013, he was the top guard in free agency and cashed in. Now he's coming to grips with his uncertain status with the Titans.

After practice Thursday, Levitre patiently answered questions about all the comings and goings in the offensive line during training camp. Then he made this telling comment: "If it doesn't work out here, there's other places."

Clearly, Levitre is starting to wonder if there is a spot for him on the Titans' roster.

Asked to elaborate, he said: "I'm not really going to get into that. You'd have to ask Whisenhunt for that."

In turn, Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt reiterated what he has said all training camp about experimenting with players at different positions in an effort to find the right combination on the offensive line.

"Like we said, we're rotating through and looking at different guys," he said. "I don't think we've made any secret about that. Nothing's changed. He's gotten reps with a whole bunch of different groups like others have."

Look, it's no secret that the Titans' offensive line is in a state of flux. And change is necessary. The team has invested too much in terms of draft picks and free agency to get so little in return. Something's got to give.

In sum, no team wants to pay $6.5 million for a backup offensive lineman. If Levitre cannot beat out converted tackle Bell for the left guard spot over the next two weeks, he could be cut.

While it's clear Levitre has not played up to his contract, some of his struggles have been caused by situations beyond his control. He underwent offseason knee surgery before ever playing a down for the Titans in 2013 and then suffered a hip injury that required surgery. He underwent an emergency appendectomy before training camp last year.

Beyond that, Whisenhunt's offense is different from the one Levitre was recruited to when Mike Munchak was coach and Dowell Loggains was offensive coordinator in 2013.

Even so, Levitre has started all 32 games since joining the Titans. He lined up with the No. 1 offense in the preseason opener at Atlanta on Friday but has gotten few snaps with the starting unit this week.

"You've got 90 guys and only 53 spots," he said. "Everybody's out here competing and trying to earn a job."

And that's the difference. In the past, highly paid players were given a job with the Titans. Now they're having to earn it.

David Climer's columns appear on Friday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. Reach him at 615-259-8020 and on Twitter @DavidClimer.